British Cycling National Cross Country Series held at Kirroughtree ForestWhat a day and what weather, the course was a mud bath after traveling for what it seemed like a decade we arrived after 5hr driving with friend richard and my son Josh.The weather on the coast was bad and with heavy rain without a break from 9am till 10.30 that night, so after saturdays practice laps and the the Fun & Sport races the course was only rideable by the most skilful mud pluggers!So out we got out and finnaly did some riding and made 2 laps in the rain , everyone else turned up as there was a break in the showers.We returned race day ready to go and Josh went off to do 2 time trails where he got 2nd twice.After watching a few other races and getting the gear ready and the pits bits bready the call up was on.But my front world cup break decided to go dead and pull to the leaver?The race started and I was way bay blocked by the riders in front but when we hit the corner I climbed with ease to the front and stayed there in third till lap three when my mate greg simcook rode with me with us passing each other on n off and his shoes coming off?? funnywe bother struggled with the mug and running the cross rider took over I think autopilot, coming through the pits to start the last lap I took my 2nd gel a big mistake as I hit the fire road felt immediately sick and did do till 9pm that night I stubbled on the last lap leaving a 1/30 min gap between us and finishing 4th just wanted to hang in there and not be a quitter.It slowly began to dry out by mid morning on race day, turning the mud into a very sticky goop which caught even the best riders out on some of the steep narrow downhills. After a 2 day long battle with the midges and looking like someone had repeatedly dabbed me with a red felt tip pen